Quote Originally Posted by pbenner View Post
Hi there,

Marten is a recessive gene that is located on the "C-Locus" in rats. It's commonly remarked as c^M in most cases.

Marten is compatible with all other C-Locus genes, these are:

Himalayan (Called Siamese in it's Super Form)
Albino (Traditional Pink Eyed White)
Marten (Silver to grey in it's heterozygous form, and can be pure black in it's Homozygous form)
Tonkinese (Brown rat with a paler belly and eyes that are darker than Pink, but lighter than Ruby in it's Heterozygous form. It's Homozygous form is a dark chocolate rat with eyes that are only slightly lighter than the Ruby you'd get from R-Locus Dilutes (Beige and Fawn colors depending on the A-locus (agouti vs black))

I've got all of the above genes in my collection, but it's not easy for me to post pictures on here from work. I'll try to remember to upload some examples tonight of what I've got in my collection for these genes.

Your litter looks like Blue to me (d-locus or g-locus) - but I'd lean towards d-locus as it looks "Russian Blue" to me, which is what I work with myself.

I will confirm that Silvermane is a Dominant gene with no Homozygous form known. It's easiest to see on a Black rat, and can be hard to pick out on lighter rats. The Silvering can come or go as they age, and can disappear.

There is a recessive gene that is similar that not many work called "Frost" but I've not seen it regularly myself or many people advertising it. I MAY have it in my lines, but it popped out as a recessive coming out during a line/inbreeding setup to reinforce some attributes I liked in the line.

Best,

Paul
Thank you so much! The AFRMA link just said marten was dominant (unknown) and I couldn’t find much else on it so I thought it would be dominant. XD So I assume all the babies would be 100% het marten? Rat/mouse genetics don’t seem as straightforward as snake genetics....

Now, if I were wanting to add individuals or replace my colony with known genetics, what are my best options for doing so? Would an AFRMA certified breeder be willing to sell to me, or mentor me, knowing I’m also breeding for snake food? Or just keep looking on Craigslist for sellers, checking pet stores, etc.?


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